Quin Price Snyder (born October 30, 1966)[1][2] is an American basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Utah Jazz. Snyder was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks for the 2013-2014 season following his time with Euroleague's PBC CSKA Moscow for the 2012-2013 season and the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers during the lockout shortened 2011-2012 season. Prior to that, he was in charge of player development for the 76ers starting in June 2010 after coaching the NBDL's Austin Toros for three seasons. Snyder was the head coach of the Toros from 2007–2010, the head coach at the University of Missouri from 1999–2006, an assistant coach at his alma mater Duke under Mike Krzyzewski from 1993–1999, and an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers under Larry Brown from 1992-1993. On June 6, 2014, Snyder was hired as the Utah Jazz's eighth head coach in franchise history.[citation needed]

Early life, college playing career, and education[edit]

Snyder was born in Mercer Island, Washington, and graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1985. A two-time state player of the year, Snyder led the team to the 1985 state championship. During this time Mercer Island achieved a No. 1 ranking in USA Today's high school polls. Snyder was named a McDonald's All American player, being the first chosen from the state of Washington.[2]

Coaching career[edit]

Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1993)[edit]

Duke (1993–1999)[edit]

From 1993 to 1995, Snyder served as an administrative assistant to men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski while Snyder completed his MBA and JD at Duke. After completing both degrees in 1995, Snyder became a full-time assistant coach under Krzyzewski. In 1997, Duke promoted Snyder to associate head coach.[6] During Snyder's time as a Duke assistant coach, Duke made the 1994 and 1999 NCAA tournament championship rounds and the Elite Eight round in 1998. Duke also won the ACC tournament in 1999.[7]

Missouri (1999–2006)[edit]

In 1999, Snyder accepted the head coaching position for the University of MissouriTigers men's basketball team, succeeding longtime coach Norm Stewart. He eventually led the Tigers to four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, including the Elite Eight in 2002, matching the deepest run ever made by a Missouri team in the NCAA Tournament. Given his success during his first year at Missouri, he was named Rookie Coach of the Year by the Basketball Times.[8]

Snyder was hailed as a sensation upon his arrival at Missouri. His first team, although seriously undermanned and composed largely of Stewart's players, made an impressive run to the NCAA Tournament. They knocked off a ranked Illinois team and then defeated the Kansas Jayhawks in Snyder's first game against Mizzou's archrival. Snyder's second season was punctuated by similar success. He once again toppled a ranked Kansas team and led the Tigers to their first NCAA victory since 1995. The eventual 2001 NCAA National Champion Duke ended the Tigers' season in the NCAA Tournament.[9]

In the summer of 2003, Snyder was an assistant coach for USA Basketball Men’s Pan American Games team.[8]

During his tenure with Mizzou many allegations surfaced regarding Snyder's ability to manage the program. Though a long and intense NCAA investigation revealed that his program committed only a handful of minor violations, Snyder chose to resign.[10] His resignation led to a prolonged controversy over the actions of Athletic Director Mike Alden's handling of the dismissal, as it was learned that Alden sent Tiger Radio Network color analyst Gary Link to inform Snyder that he would not be retained after the season.[11]

Austin Toros (2007–2010)[edit]

In the summer of 2007, Quin Snyder accepted the head coaching position of the Austin Toros in the NBADL[12]

In the first season, Snyder's team won the Southwest Division championship and reached the D-League Finals. In his second season, Snyder led the Toros to a 32-win season; coached in the 2009 NBA D-League All-Star Game in Phoenix; received the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award; and reached the D-League Semi-Finals. In his final season with the team, the Toros compiled another 32-win season - this time with more rookies than any other team in the D-League - and again reached the Semi-Finals. During his three-year tenure in Austin, Snyder compiled more wins and guided more players to the NBA than any other coach in the D-League.[13]